S.B. 1264 - State Financial Aid

05/09/2014

Sponsor: Senator Fran Pavley (D)

Summary: Establishes the Educator Excellence Program under the administration of the Student Aid Commission. Requires the Student Aid Commission to develop procedures for the evaluation and selection of qualified applicants for participation in the program. Specifies eligibility criteria that participants in the program would be required to meet.

Provides that, for selection to the program, an applicant must be judged by his or her postsecondary institution, school district or county office of education to have outstanding ability or be deserving of special consideration on the basis of criteria that may include, but need not be limited to, any of the following: (1) Grade point average. (2) Test scores. (3) Faculty evaluations. (4) Interviews. (5) Other recommendations. (6) The applicant has received, or is approved to receive, a loan under one or more of the following designated loan programs: the Federal Family Education Loan Program or any educational loan program approved by the Student Aid Commission.

Outlook: This measure was withdrawn by the sponsor, amended and re-referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriations, which scheduled a hearing May 19. The author's amendment removes language requiring the Student Aid Commission coordinate with the Superintendent. At the scheduled hearing, the Committee on Appropriations will accept limited public testimony. A vote on this measure is expected at the hearing. Should the Committee determine this measure has a significant fiscal impact, it may place this measure in its suspense file for consideration at a later time. Per Joint Rule 61(b)(8), the committee has by May 23 to act on this measure.

After allowing for public testimony, the Senate Committee on Education recommended this measure for passage unanimously. This measure will next be referred to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations for consideration. As this measure contains fiscal provisions it must be approved by the Appropriations Committee before it may be considered by the full chamber.

This measure was withdrawn by the sponsor, amended and re-referred to the Senate Committee on Education. The author's amendment requires the Student Aid Commission, in coordination with the Superintendent, to develop procedures for the evaluation and selection of qualified applicants for participation in the program. The bill would specify eligibility criteria that participants in the program would be required to meet.

The Senate Committee on Education received testimony during their April 9 hearing, but did not take action on this measure. Registering in favor of the measure were representatives of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. No opposition to the measure has been registered with the committee.

This measure was withdrawn by the sponsor, amended and re-referred to the Senate Committee on Education. The author's amendment establishes the Educator Excellence Program under the administration of the Student Aid Commission.

The sponsor is a member of the majority party but has not garnered the support of any cosponsors. The Democratic Party controls both legislative chambers as well as the Office of Governor.